KEY AND GUIDE TO NATIVE TREES, SHRUBS AND WOODY VINES OF DALLAS COUNTY
by
NORMA STILLWELL
Dallas, Texas
April, 1939
PRINTED BY
PROCTOR-ADAMS PRINTING SERVICE
DALLAS, TEXAS
PREFACE
This simple key and guide to the woody plants—trees, shrubs and woody vines—which grow naturally in Dallas County, Texas, has been prepared to help beginners of any age in getting better acquainted with these leafy neighbors and friends. Woody plants offer one of the best places to begin a study of nature: first because there are but few kinds to learn in comparison with many other living forms—about 90 of these plants against estimated numbers for the county of about 300 birds, 500 to 1000 other flowering plants and over 25,000 insects; second, woody plants remain in one place, freely available for observation at any hour or season and year after year—if they escape human interference. And what more helpful link toward acquaintance with other interesting forms of natural life can be found than an intimate friendship with their mutual friends, the trees!
The distinctions between trees and shrubs or between shrubs and woody vines are often purely arbitrary, depending in part on age. A plant which grows at least twenty feet tall and usually (not always) has just one woody, self-supporting stem at the ground is considered a tree. A plant which rarely grows taller than twenty feet, in a given region, and usually has more than one woody stem rising from the ground is considered a shrub. The separation of herbs from woody plants divides those plants which usually die down to the ground each winter from those having woody stems which persist above ground year after year. Some ninety different woody plants are distinguished from one another and briefly described in this key and guide. Each description represents a single species with the exception of the cactus, yucca, red oaks and red haws; the differences between the various species of these plants are too complex for this brief manual.
Scientific names are included here, not with any thought that they should be memorized or that they need be used in ordinary conversation, but to avoid the possibility of misunderstandings such as often arise from some common names which are used by different persons to designate different plants. Many plants have more than one common name and often one common name is used for two or more quite unlike plants. Common names listed first are the ones considered more suitable.
The first part of the scientific name represents the genus (plural, genera), a degree of relationship or grouping smaller than the family but more inclusive than the species. The second name represents the species or specific kind of plant; species are occasionally divided into varieties (var.). The abbreviation following the scientific name stands for the name of the botanist who first described or named the plant, scientifically. L. stands for Linnaeus, “the father of modern botany”, who first used this double-name (binomial) system of scientific classification.
More extended descriptions and further information about these plants may be found in some of the reference books listed in the back of this booklet; many, if not all of them, are available in the Dallas Public Library. Only the more necessary technical words have been used and these are defined or illustrated herein. Although this booklet endeavors to include all the woody plants growing naturally in Dallas County, no doubt omissions and errors will be found and the author will be glad to be informed of them.
Grateful acknowledgement is made to Dr. W. M. Longnecker and Dr. E. P. Cheatum of the Department of Biology, Southern Methodist University, and to Dr. B. C. Tharp of the Department of Botany and Bacteriology, University of Texas, for their most helpful suggestions and criticisms. Although this booklet is based upon the field observations of the author and her husband, Jerry E. Stillwell, who assisted her in many ways, she has made free use of such technical information as was needed from the volumes listed in the bibliography.
The illustrations used in this publication were drawn for it by Alice Ferguson.
NORMA STILLWELL, Dallas, Texas.
Copyright 1939 by the author.
HOW TO USE THE KEY
This key is based chiefly on leaves and twigs, as they offer the easiest clues for identification, especially in this climate where leaves are present about three-fourths of the year. The best method of study is to carry this booklet to the woody plant or plants you want to know. If this is not convenient, have at least a leafy twig in hand. When collecting specimens for study (a large-paged magazine will do for carrying and pressing), notes should include the date and location, any peculiarities of the bark, nature of thorns if not on the specimen taken, color of twigs or any other features which might change in drying, flowers or seeds or any such extra clues which might help to find the right name for the plant. Small specimens of leafy twigs may be taken in suitable locations without endangering or damaging woody plants provided they are always cut, never torn from the branches.
The sizes as well as shapes of leaves are usually more typical on older plants or on the higher branches of trees. When either leaves or twigs are described as opposite, this condition will be found to be true for both, although sometimes the opposite member is missing; but leaflets (leaf-like units of a compound leaf) may sometimes be opposite when the complete leaves are not—the position of leaves, not leaflets, is used in this key. The terms rare, common or abundant are used to apply solely to Dallas County.
Begin with the numbers 1 in the key and decide which of these fits the woody plant whose name you are seeking. Turn to the key number following the 1 you have chosen and again choose between the two descriptions bearing the same number. Continue this process until you have reached the name of a plant. This name will be followed by some number above 200; turn to this number in the guide and see whether this more complete description fits. If each of your choices in the key has been correct you now know the name of your plant. If this description in the guide does not fit your plant, go over the key again, selecting this time the other choice at any number where you may have been in doubt.
Whenever it has been necessary to use an obscure or variable characteristic an effort has been made so to arrange the key that the right answer will be reached whichever the choice. That is why some plant names appear more than once in the key. If the following points are noted any careful observer should be successful in identifying the native woody plants of Dallas County by the use of this key. It will be found helpful in other regions where the native plants are similar to those of Dallas County.
1. Look carefully for thorns or prickles.
2. Notice anything unusual about the bark of trunk and branches—knotty, flaky, peeling, color, etc.
3. Try to choose mature leaves of typical shapes and sizes rather than the unusual ones.
4. Look for flowers, fruits or seeds on or under a tree or other woody plant. These may furnish just the confirmation you need to feel sure of the right name.
GLOSSARY
axil: the angle where a leaf stem joins a twig.
deciduous: losing its leaves in winter, not evergreen.
dioecious: bearing staminate, or male, flowers on separate plants from the pistillate, or fruit-bearing flowers; hence some plants of certain species never bear fruits or seeds.
fruit: that part of any plant which contains the seeds.
lenticel: air pore in the bark.
monoecious: bearing the two kinds of flowers on the same plant.
opaque: not admitting or transmitting light.
perfect: having both stamens and pistils in one flower, as most showy flowers have.
pistillate: possessing a pistil or pistils and lacking stamens; female, or fruit-bearing.
staminate: possessing stamens and lacking a pistil; male, or pollen-bearing.
translucent: admitting some light but not clear or transparent.
FLOWERS and TWIGS
Spike Cyme Umbel Panicle Catkin Twigs Opposite winter bud leaf scar Alternate Flower Parts anther pistil stamen sepal petal Pea Shaped Flower
TYPES OF SIMPLE LEAVES
Elliptical Acute Tip Coarsely Serrate (toothed) Margin Lobed Rounded Pointed Oblong Crenate Margin Midrib Ovate Acuminate Tip Notched Margin Truncate Base Linear Heart Serrate Margin More than one main vein at the base Sickle Obovate Doubly Serrate Margin veins united near margin
COMPOUND LEAVES
Pinnate odd leaflet Palmate Twice Pinnate leaflet
KEY TO NATIVE WOODY PLANTS OF DALLAS COUNTY
Based Principally On Leaves
Numbers below 200 refer to the key,
above 200 to the guide ([p. 20]).
1. Leaves evergreen [2] 1. Leaves deciduous [7]
2. Leaves pinnately compound [71] 2. Leaves not pinnately compound [3]
3. Plants with very thick, fleshy, flattened, leaf-like stems, usually covered with many prickles prickly-pear cactus [269] 3. Leaves not very thick and fleshy and not prickly except at tips [4]
4. Leaves in large rosette close to ground [5] 4. Leaves needle-like, not in rosettes [6]
5. Leaves sword-shaped yucca [205] 5. Leaves fan-shaped palmetto (rare) [203]
6. Inner bark yellowish brown, berries light blue red cedar [201] 6. Inner bark darker brown, berries larger and darker, purplish mountain cedar (rare) [202]
7. Leaves simple [8] 7. Leaves compound [67]
8. Leaves and twigs alternate [9] 8. Leaves and twigs opposite [54]
Leaves Simple and Alternate
9. Leaves linear (long and narrow) [11] 9. Leaves not linear [10]
10. Leaves smooth and very glossy on both sides, broadly truncate at base, stems flattened cottonwood [207] 10. Leaves not possessing all three characteristics as given in 10 above [12]
11. Leaves usually less than ¾ inch wide, midrib yellowish and prominent on both sides willow [206] 11. Leaves usually more than ¾ inch wide, midrib not yellowish nor prominent on both sides peach [239]
12. Trunks or twigs with thorns or spines [13] 12. Trunks and twigs without thorns or spines [18]
13. Thorny vines greenbrier [204] 13. Thorny trees or shrubs [14]
14. Leaf margins entire (smooth) [17] 14. Leaf margins not entire, variously serrate or toothed [15]
15. Leaves either blunt at tip or shallowly lobed or cut, primary veins usually straight to margins, often doubly serrate red haws [232] 15. Leaves pointed at tip, serrate, not cut or lobed, veins united or curving near margins [16]
16. Leaf width more than half the length, leaf flat, glands, if present on leaf-stem near leaf, dark wild plum (tree) [237] 16. Leaf width less than half the length, tending to fold lengthwise, usually two bright red glands on leaf-stem near leaf dwarf plum [238]
17. Leaf smooth or glossy, tip pointed, juice of stem milky bois d’arc or Osage orange [226] 17. Leaf wooly on under side, especially when young, usually rather blunt at tip, juice of stem not milky wooly bumelia, chittam wood or gum elastic [272]
18. Leaves either lobed or coarsely toothed [33] 18. Leaves neither lobed nor coarsely toothed, sometimes doubly toothed [19]
19. Leaf margin serrate or crenate or doubly toothed [20] 19. Leaf margin smooth or wavy [47]
20. Vines rattan [261] 20. Not vines [21]
21. Leaf margins doubly toothed (large and small teeth) [22] 21. Leaf margins not doubly toothed [25]
22. Leaves 3 to 7 inches long, twigs not corky winged [23] 22. Leaves 1 to 3 inches long, twigs sometimes corky winged [24]
23. Inner bark mucilaginous (“slippery” when chewed), leaves rough above, downy below red or slippery elm [220] 23. Inner bark not mucilaginous, leaves rather smooth above and downy below white or American elm [221]
24. Leaves 1 to 2½ inches long, rather blunt tips, flowers in fall cedar elm [222] 24. Leaves 1½ to 3 inches long, tapering point, flowers in spring winged elm (rare) [223]
25. Bark of trunk with warty or knotty projections rough-leaved hackberry [224] 25. Bark of trunk without warty projections [26]
26. Leaf length more than 4 times width peach [239] 26. Leaf length less than 3 times width [27]
27. Larger twigs with whitish cross-streaks, flowers and fruit in catkin-like racemes wild cherry (rare) [236] 27. Twigs without whitish cross-streaks, flowers and fruits not in racemes [28]
28. Lowest pair of primary leaf veins much longer than others New Jersey tea [260] 28. Lowest pair of primary leaf veins not much, if any, longer than others [29]
29. Leaf veins and midrib yellowish and prominent on under side, primary veins closely and evenly spaced Indian cherry [259] 29. Leaf veins and midrib not yellowish, if prominent on under side not closely and evenly spaced [30]
30. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long (rarely much larger), sometimes mitten-shaped or, on young shoots, intricately lobed, margins rather coarsely serrate or toothed red mulberry [227] 30. Leaves 1 to 3½ inches long, margins finely serrate or crenate, not lobed [31]
31. Leaves 1 to 2 inches long, margins crenate, veinlets not conspicuous, twigs pale gray swamp holly [253] 31. Leaves 2 to 3½ inches long, margins serrate, veinlets netted and conspicuous below, twigs purplish or reddish [32]
32. Width of leaves more than half their length, flat, glands on leaf-stem dark wild plum (tree) [237] 32. Width of leaves less than half their length, tending to fold lengthwise, usually 2 bright red glands on leaf-stem near leaf dwarf plum [238]
33. Lobed or coarsely toothed leaves on vines [34] 33. Lobed or coarsely toothed leaves not on vines [38]
34. Leaf margins smooth, though sometimes slightly lobed [35] 34. Leaf margins deeply lobed or coarsely toothed or both [36]
35. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long Carolina moonseed (sarsaparilla) [229] 35. Leaves 4 to 10 inches long Canada moonseed (very rare) [230]
36. Leaf surfaces not downy or wooly [37] 36. At least lower leaf surfaces somewhat wooly grapes [266] and [267]
37. Leaves mostly 3-divided or deeply lobed or cut, fleshy cow-itch vine [264] 37. Leaves coarsely toothed, not divided or deeply lobed, grapelike except thin and smooth, or nearly smooth Cissus ampelopsis [265]
38. Leaves as broad as long sycamore [231] 38. Leaves not as broad as long [39]
39. Leaves toothed, not tough, rough above, not broader toward tip, often lobed on young trees red mulberry [227] 39. Leaves tough, not rough above, lobed or notched [40]
40. Leaves regularly notched but not deeply lobed [44] 40. Leaves deeply lobed or else broader toward tip, not regularly notched [41]
41. Lobes few and shallow or sharp-pointed at tips [42] 41. Lobes not sharp-pointed at tips [45]
42. Lobes, if any, few and shallow and near tip, leaves decidedly broader toward tip [43] 42. Leaves with several to many sharp-pointed lobes, some of them always fairly deep, variously shaped, (more than one species) red oaks [219]
43. Leaves 4 to 10 inches long black jack oak [218] 43. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long water oak, duck oak or pin oak [217]
44. Leaf notches pointed chinquapin oak [216] 44. Leaf notches rounded swamp chestnut oak [215]
45. Leaves 6 to 12 inches long bur oak [214] 45. Leaves less than 6 inches long [46]
46. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long post oak [212] 46. Leaves less than 3 inches long scrub oak [213]
Leaf Margins Smooth or Wavy, Not Lobed or Toothed
47. Vines [48] 47. Not vines [50]
48. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long Carolina moonseed [229] 48. Leaves 4 to 10 inches long [49]
49. Leaves deeply heart-shaped at base, wooly, leaf margin not extending beyond base of stem, not angled or lobed wooly pipevine [228] 49. Leaves not always deeply heart-shaped at base, not wooly, leaf margin extending slightly beyond base of stem, leaves often angled or shallowly lobed Canada moonseed (very rare) [230]
50. Leaves broad, at least nearly as broad as long, more than one main vein at base redbuds [240] and [241] 50. Leaves decidedly longer than wide, one main vein at base [51]
51. Leaves smooth or shiny above [52] 51. Leaves not smooth, or shiny above southern hackberry [225]
52. Leaf midrib and veins yellow and very prominent beneath, primary veins closely and evenly spaced, not branched Indian cherry [259] 52. Leaf veins not very prominent beneath, not yellow, not evenly spaced [53]
53. Leaves broader toward tip, sometimes lobed [43] 53. Leaves not broader toward tip, not lobed persimmon [273]
Leaves Simple and Opposite
54. Upper pairs of leaves often united around stem [55] 54. Upper pairs of leaves not united around stem [56]
55. A vine, leaves evergreen coral honeysuckle (rare) [282] 55. A shrub, though some of stems long and straggling bush honeysuckle [283]
56. Leaf margins entire or wavy [57] 56. Leaf margins serrate or coarsely toothed [63]
57. Leaves ½ to 1½ inches long [58] 57. Leaves 1½ to 10 inches long [59]
58. Leaves light yellowish green, glossy, narrowly oblong-obovate St. Andrew’s cross (sandy land) [268] 58. Leaves dark green above, lighter and downy beneath, not glossy, ovate Indian currant [284]
59. Leaves glossy above, often in whorls of three or sometimes more, midrib broad and yellow button bush [281] 59. Leaves not glossy above, not in whorls, midrib not yellow [60]
60. Leaves 7 to 10 inches long catalpa or cigar tree (rare) [279] 60. Leaves less than 6 inches long [61]
61. Twigs dark, with conspicuous light dots, primary veins not prominent below nor indented above, usually less than 2½ inches long swamp privet [277] 61. Twigs without conspicuous light dots, primary veins prominent below and indented above, usually over 2½ inches long [62]
62. Leaves smooth but not glossy above, tending to cluster towards ends of twigs flowering dogwood (rare) [270] 62. Leaves rough above, distributed along branchlets dwarf or rough-leaved dogwood [271]
63. Twigs bright green, often 4-sided or ridged, leaves smooth but not glossy, acuminate tips waahoo [254] 63. Twigs neither green nor 4-sided [64]
64. Leaves very glossy above black haw [285] 64. Leaves not glossy above [65]
65. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long, rather coarsely toothed French mulberry [278] 65. Leaves ¾ to 3 inches long, finely serrate or crenate [66]
66. Leaves blunt at tip spring herald [276] 66. Leaves tapering at both ends swamp privet [277]
67. Compound leaves alternate [68] 67. Compound leaves opposite [91]
Leaves Compound and Alternate
68. Trunks or twigs with spines or thorns [69] 68. Trunks and twigs without spines or thorns [74]
69. Low shrubs, 6 inches to 2 feet high pasture rose [234] 69. Not low shrubs [70]
70. Leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets [71] 70. Leaves with more than 5 leaflets [72]
71. Stems trailing, usually on the ground dewberries [235] 71. Stems climbing prairie rose (rare) [233]
72. Thorns long, often branched honey locust [243] 72. Thorns or prickles short [73]
73. Leaflets ovate and with odd leaflet at tip prickly ash [246] 73. Leaflets oblong and without odd leaflet at tip mesquite [240]
74. Vines [75] 74. Not vines [78]
75. Leaves twice-pinnately compound pepper vine [263] 75. Leaves palmately compound or with 3 leaflets [76]
76. Three leaflets [77] 76. Five or more leaflets Virginia creeper [262]
77. Leaves succulent (thick and juicy), sometimes three-lobed instead of parted cow-itch vine (rare) [264] 77. Leaves not succulent, leaflets always fully parted, plant often shrubby when young poison oak or poison ivy [251]
78. Leaves twice-pinnately compound chinaberry [248] 78. Leaves not twice-pinnate [79]
79. Three leaflets (sometimes 5 on wafer ash) [80] 79. More than 3 leaflets [82]
80. Leaflets less than 2 inches long aromatic or ill-scented sumac [252] 80. Leaflets 2 to 5 inches long [81]
81. All leaflets stemless, twigs glossy wafer ash (rare) [247] 81. Terminal leaflet longer stemmed than other two, twigs not glossy poison oak or poison ivy [251]
82. Leaflets rounded toward tips [83] 82. Leaflets acute or acuminate [84]
83. Twigs dark green, leaflets not gland-dotted Eve’s necklace [244] 83. Twigs not green, leaflets dotted with tiny amber glands river locust [245]
84. Leaf margins smooth or nearly so [84A] 84. Leaf margins distinctly toothed or serrate [86]
84A. Leaves 1 to 3 feet long, 13 to 41 leaflets, twigs very stout tree of Heaven (rare) [248A] 84A. Leaves less than 1 foot long, 8 to 21 leaflets, twigs not very stout [85]
85. Leafy wings along stems between leaflets with odd leaflet at tip winged or dwarf sumac [250] 85. Leaf stem not or rarely winged between leaflets without odd leaflet at tip soapberry (wild chinaberry) [257]
86. Leaflets 5 to 7 [87] 86. Leaflets 9 to 31 [88]
87. Terminal leaflet usually broader toward tip and at least twice as large as lowest pair hickory [211] 87. Terminal leaflet not broader toward tip and not much larger than others Spanish or Texas buckeye [256]
88. Twigs reddish or purplish, a shrub smooth sumac [249] 88. Twigs neither reddish nor purplish, trees [89]
89. Pith of twigs dark and chambered black walnut [208] 89. Pith of twigs not dark, continuous [90]
90. Nut nearly cylindric, seed sweet pecan [209] 90. Nut 4-angled, seed bitter bitter pecan (rare) [210]
Leaves Compound and Opposite
91. Vines [92] 91. Not vines [94]
92. Leaves palmately compound (alternate) Virginia creeper [262] 92. Leaves not palmately compound [93]
93. Twice-pinnately compound (alternate) pepper vine [263] 93. Once-pinnate trumpet creeper [280]
94. Palmately compound fetid or Ohio buckeye [258] 94. Not palmately compound [95]
95. With terminal leaflet [96] 95. Without terminal leaflet mesquite [240]
96. Twice-pinnately compound (alternate) chinaberry [248] 96. Once-pinnate [97]
97. Leaflets 5 to 11, usually 7, twigs not bright green [98] 97. Leaflets 3 to 5 (rarely 7 or 9), twigs bright green box elder [255]
98. Twigs brownish gray, lenticels obscure, flowers and fruits in cymes, shrubs elderberry [286] 98. Twigs greenish gray or gray, whitish lenticels noticeable, flowers and fruits in panicles, trees [99]
99. Leaves bright or yellowish green on both sides, leaf-scar of twig straight or nearly so on upper edge green ash [275] 99. Leaves dark green above, paler below, leaf-scar of twig concave or notched on upper edge white ash [274]
about ½ natural size
260 New Jersey tea; fruit 276 spring herald 261 rattan vine 268 St. Andrew’s cross 252 aromatic sumac 264 cow-itch vine 284 Indian current 253 swamp holly
about ¼ natural size
254 waahoo 265 Cissus ampelopsis 285 black haw 278 French mulberry 271 dwarf dogwood 283 bush honeysuckle 282 coral honeysuckle 277 swamp privet
about ¼ natural size
280 trumpet creeper 244 Eve’s necklace 246 prickly ash 245 river locust 249 smooth sumac 256 Texas buckeye
about ¼ natural size
248 chinaberry 262 Virginia creeper 250 winged sumac 263 pepper vine 257 soapberry 258 Ohio buckeye
about ¼ natural size
247 wafer ash 251 poison ivy 230 Canada moonseed 259 Indian cherry 286 elderberry 255 box elder 229 Carolina moonseed 228 wooly pipevine
GUIDE TO NATIVE WOODY PLANTS OF DALLAS COUNTY
Capital letters and page numbers following the descriptions of a few of these plants refer to the [bibliography] at the end of this guide.
PINE FAMILY
201. RED CEDAR (Juniperus virginiana L.) abundant tree of medium height. Habitat: all soils, especially limestone hills in southwestern part of county. Leaves: small, thick, scale-like or like short needles. Bark: thin, reddish brown, shreddy, inner layers yellowish brown. Twigs: of young shoots bear the sharper-pointed leaves. Flowers: dioecious, in February or March; staminate minute, numerous, rusty; pistillate purplish, inconspicuous. Fruit: light blue, spherical, ¼ inch diameter. Wood: reddish at heart, sapwood light, used for cedar chests, rustic work, and fence posts; for the last inferior only to bois d’arc as it is very lasting in contact with the soil.
202. MOUNTAIN CEDAR (Juniperus mexicana Spreng.) rare tree except at Camp Wisdom and vicinity. Habitat: dry uplands, this about its eastern limit but abundant westward. Leaves: similar to red cedar. Inner bark: darker brown than on red cedar. Fruit: larger and darker than red cedar, purplish. Wood: light brown, hard and close-grained but weak, used for fuel, fence posts, poles and landscape planting.
PALM FAMILY
203. DWARF PALMETTO (Sabal minor Pers.) low shrub of the river bottom, rare. Leaves: 15 to 20 inches long, spreading, fan-shaped, from an underground stem; browsed by cattle and mostly destroyed when Bois d’Arc Island was cleared for cultivation. Flowers: whitish, small, from a slightly branched central stalk. Fruit: black, spherical, smooth, dry, about ¼ inch across. L (p. 223) (S. glabra). [M] (p. 240.)
LILY FAMILY
204. GREENBRIER (Smilax bona nox L.) abundant vine; locally called stretchberry, saw-brier, cat-brier. Habitat: woodlands and thickets, becoming especially obnoxious in heavily pastured woodlands. Leaves: 1½ to 4½ inches long, ½ to 3 wide, alternate, oval or somewhat heart-shaped, margins entire; smooth, thick, shining, many remaining green and some mottled with brown in winter; all primary veins running lengthwise of leaf. Stems: long, evergreen, often very prickly, climbing by tendrils. Flowers: small, inconspicuous, yellowish or greenish, dioecious, in umbels, six “petals”. Fruit: black, shining or covered with a bloom, round or nearly so, size of small peas. This vine’s greatest virtue seems to be that it offers food and shelter to the birds.
205. YUCCA, bear-grass, Spanish dagger (Yucca species) more than one species in the county; abundant in meadows and along roadsides. Leaves: grasslike but large, thick and tough, in rosettes, often with white threads on margins; sharp-pointed. Woody stem: very short in our species. Flowers: greenish white or creamy, many along a central stalk two or three feet tall; each cupped flower about an inch or two long, fertilized by a small white moth which lays its egg inside. Fruit: a short, thick, cylindrical pod containing layers of flat, black seeds.
WILLOW FAMILY
206. WILLOW (Salix nigra Marsh.) the black willow is probably the only native species growing in the county. The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) has not been observed growing in the county except where planted. Willows grow close to water or in low ground, are very common and grow very rapidly where they have an abundant supply of water; very valuable in checking soil erosion as their roots help to hold the soil in place. Leaves: simple, alternate, 3 to 6 inches long, ⅛ to ¾ wide, acuminate, with fine, incurved serrations. Bark: rough, shaggy on old trees, usually light brown. Twigs: conspicuously yellowish orange in winter, smooth or glossy, very slender. Flowers: in catkins, yellowish, dioecious. Fruit: cottony-covered seeds. Wood: soft, light, weak, used for a special charcoal in manufacturing gunpowder, some species for artificial limbs.
207. COTTONWOOD (Populus deltoides var. virginiana Sudw.) common, large tree, also called Carolina poplar. Habitat: prefers lowlands and stream banks although will grow in dry soil. Leaves: simple, alternate, 3 to 5 inches each way, commonly glossy on both sides, broad and straight across at the base, coarsely toothed or crenate, stems flattened. Bark: thick, light gray, deeply furrowed on trunks to smooth and yellowish green on branches. Twigs: stout, greenish yellow to pale gray, smooth; lenticels large, pale, lengthwise; buds large, scales very sticky-resinous. Flowers: staminate are red catkins, pistillate greenish yellow, dioecious. Fruit: cottony-covered seeds. Wood: soft, light weight, warps easily but cheap because of rapid growth of tree; new methods of rapid kiln-drying have lessened warping.
WALNUT FAMILY
208. BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra L.) tree, common in rich bottomlands. Leaves: alternate, pinnately compound, one to two feet long, 15 to 23 leaflets, each about 3 inches long, tapering and toothed; with a characteristic odor when crushed. Bark: thick, dark, rough. Twigs: have dark, chambered pith shown by splitting lengthwise through center. Flowers: greenish, male in catkins, female inconspicuous, both kinds on the same tree. Fruit: green to black husk does not split, round; shell rough, very hard, dark; nut rich and sweet. Wood: hard, strong, rich brown color, very valuable for gunstocks, furniture, etc.
209. PECAN (Carya pecan Engl. & Graebn.) abundant, the state tree. Habitat: rich bottomlands preferred. Leaves: similar to black walnut but average fewer leaflets, 9 to 17. Twigs: do not have dark, chambered pith. Bark: somewhat variable in appearance but generally lighter in color than walnut and not as flaky as soapberry both of which it resembles. Fruit: very valuable crop in Texas, many cultivated varieties tending toward larger size of nuts and thinner shell. Wood: not valuable, hard but brittle and not strong.
210. BITTER PECAN (Carya texana Schn.) rare tree of low woodlands. The nuts are 4-angled and the seeds bitter. Wood tough and strong.
211. HICKORY (Carya buckleyi Durand) uncommon in this county. Observed in sandy woods. Leaves: pinnately compound, of 5 to 9 leaflets, the terminal 4 to 6 inches long, 2 to 2¼ wide, twice as large as the lowest, obovate and tapering at each end. Bark: dark, rough, close. Fruit: resembles pecan but broader; shell thick, somewhat wrinkled, light in color; seed sweet. Wood: hard, brittle, little used except for fuel.
BEECH FAMILY
White Oak Group: Fruit requires 1 year to mature; leaves without sharp points to lobes (except chinquapin oak leaves). Bark: usually lighter gray than on black or red oaks.
212. POST OAK (Quercus stellata Wang) most abundant tree of dry, sandy, upland woods. Leaves: 3 to 5 inches long, with 5 rounded lobes wider toward the outer end; like bur oak but smaller; dead leaves often cling in winter, especially on young trees. Flowers: as in other oaks, male in catkins, female inconspicuous, both kinds on same tree. Fruit: an oval acorn, ½ to 1 inch long in a rather shallow cup. Bark: rough, with deep grooves. Twigs: very fuzzy when young. Wood: hard, durable in soil but difficult to season, used mainly for fuel, fence posts and crossties.
213. SCRUB OAK: or dwarf post oak (probably a variety of Q. stellata). Habitat: on limestone hills where common. Leaves: similar to post oak but less than 3 inches long and less deeply lobed. Bark: thin, light gray, with loose scales. Sometimes attains tree size though usually shrubby and growing in dense thickets, typically not over 20 feet high.
214. BUR OAK or mossy-cup oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michx.) common large tree of lowlands; heavy, thick branches make it the sturdiest looking of our oaks. Leaves: 6 to 12 inches long, deeply 5 to 7 lobed with the lobes rounded and larger toward the tip, upper lobe largest and wavy margined or shallowly lobed. Acorns: large, 2 inches or more in diameter, the cup usually deep and heavily fringed. Wood: for cabinetmaking and all sorts of construction, shipbuilding, etc.
215. SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK or basket oak (Quercus prinus L.) Habitat: rich bottomlands, not common. Leaves: obovate, margins deeply wavy or with small, regularly rounded notches, downy beneath, 3 to 8 inches long. Bark: light gray, with broad flakes. Acorns: about 1½ inches long by 1 inch wide, shiny brown, with a shallow cup, eaten by cows (cow oak). Wood: used for lumber, veneer, cooperage, wheels, implements, and baskets.
216. CHINQUAPIN OAK or chestnut oak (Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm.) Habitat: various, prefers limestone soil, common. Leaves: similar to preceding species but more sharply notched. Bark: thick, usually silvery gray, large, loose scales on surface. Acorns: smaller than preceding and have very short stems. Branches: typically fewer, larger and more irregular than preceding. Wood: hard, strong, close-grained, durable, used for cooperage, furniture, crossties, fuel.
Black or Red Oak Group: Fruit requires two years to mature, leaves have sharp points on lobes.
217. WATER OAK, duck oak, or pin oak (Quercus nigra L.) Habitat: low, sandy land, rare. Leaves: usually about 2½ inches long and 1½ wide, narrow toward base, usually broader toward tip, shallowly lobed toward tip or entire, smooth and dark green above, tardily deciduous. Bark: rather smooth, reddish brown. Fruit: acorns usually solitary, very short-stalked, light brown, ½ to ⅔ inch long. Wood: heavy, hard, strong, little used except for fuel and crossties.
218. BLACK JACK OAK (Quercus marilandica Muench.) Habitat: dry, upland woods, sandy soil, with post oaks where few other trees grow, common. Leaves: 4 to 10 inches long, very wide at tip, narrow toward base, only very shallowly lobed, dark above, leathery, dead leaves often clinging to young trees in winter. Bark: rough, dark, broken into small, hard flakes. Fruit: an acorn about ¾ inch long with a cup enclosing about half the nut which is yellowish brown and often striped. Wood: heavy, hard and strong but little used except as fuel.
219. RED OAK (Quercus species). Several species of red oak are not easily distinguished except by specialists and the problem is complicated by the fact that many species interbreed readily, thus producing many variations from the typical forms. Probably Q. shumardii var. schneckii is the most common red oak around Dallas. The leaves are similar in shape to the black oak but are thinner and lack the prominent rusty hairs in the forks of the veins; lobes are usually from 5 to 7 and vary greatly as to length and width. The Texas red oak (Q. texana Buckley) is a closely related smaller tree of dry uplands. The Spanish oak (Q. rubra L.) is another red oak of dry uplands; it is easily recognized when the leaves assume one typical form which is narrow and rounded at the base with the three or more narrow lobes occurring near the tip. For more complete descriptions of these trees the reader is referred to the latest edition of Sargent’s “Manual of the Trees of North America.”
NETTLE FAMILY
220. RED OR SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus fulva Michx.) Habitat: principally in rich soil on low hillsides or stream banks, a common tree. Leaves: doubly toothed, unequal at the base, 3 to 7 inches long, rough on both sides. Twigs: somewhat mucilaginous or “slippery” when chewed; buds covered with rusty hairs. Inner BARK: very mucilaginous, used in medicine; outer BARK: grayish brown with flat ridges. Flowers: small, inconspicuous, appearing very early in spring, before the leaves; in clusters, each flower on a long drooping stalk. Fruit: green-winged seeds, disk-shaped, notched at tip but without incurved tips. Wood: close-grained, tough, heavy, hard, used for fence posts, crossties, implements, ribs for small boats, etc.
221. WHITE OR AMERICAN ELM (Ulmus americana L.) Habitat: similar to red elm, less common. Leaves: similar except usually rather smooth above and downy below, veins prominent below and parallel from midrib to leaf edge. Twigs: brownish and smoother, buds without rusty hairs, not, or very slightly, mucilaginous. Cross section of BARK shows alternate layers of brown and white; surface dark gray with irregular, flat-topped ridges. Flowers: very short-stalked. Seed: wings notched, with incurving tips. Wood: hard, strong, tough, difficult to split, coarse-grained, used for wheel-hubs, saddletrees, floors, boats.
222. CEDAR ELM (Ulmus crassifolia Nutt.) Habitat: varied, our most abundant elm, resists drouth and root rot, hence recommended as a shade tree. Leaves: 1 to 2 inches long, usually blunt tipped. Young TWIGS: reddish and slightly downy, sometimes have corky wings. Flowers and Fruit: in late summer and early autumn. Branches: relatively short and numerous, making dense shade in spite of small size of leaves. Wood: brittle, sometimes used for hubs, furniture and fencing; mostly for fuel and charcoal.
223. WINGED ELM (Ulmus alata Michx.) Usually found on low, sandy land; not common. Leaves: 1½ to 3 inches long, pointed at the tip. Twigs: usually with many broad, corky wings, though sometimes absent. Flowers: in spring. Wood: similar to other elms.
224. ROUGH-LEAVED HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis var. crassifolia Gray). Habitat: varied, more common on rich soil. Leaves: ovate, toothed at least toward the long point, 2 to 4 inches long. Fruit: a roundish, dark purple berry ripening in early fall, often clinging to the tree through the winter and forming a popular food for many birds; about ¼ inch in diameter. Bark: of trunk usually conspicuous with its characteristic warty projections. Wood: heavy but soft and weak, decays rapidly when exposed, little used except for fuel. The characteristic brown gall on the twigs is almost a mark of recognition in winter, when trees are too small to show the typical warty bark.
225. SOUTHERN HACKBERRY (Celtis laevigata Willd.) Less common than previous species. Distinguished by the smooth margins of the slightly longer and narrower LEAVES and by the orange or yellowish color of the FRUIT. Both trees are widely planted for shade as they are resistant to root rot.
226. BOIS D’ARC OR OSAGE ORANGE (Maclura pomifera Schn.) also called horse-apple. Abundant in rich bottomland. Leaves: entire, dark green and glossy, oval, pointed at tip, 3 to 5 inches long. The yellowish-brown BARK distinguishes it from any other thorny tree, contains tannin and that of root a yellow dye. Flowers: monoecious, the female in a rounded ball, male in an elongated cluster. Fruit: resembles a very rough, large, bright green orange. Wood: bright orange in color, most durable in contact with the soil, used principally for posts.
227. RED MULBERRY (Morus rubra L.) Common in rich lowlands, often in the shade of larger trees. Leaves: 3 to 5 inches long or rarely much larger in dense shade, toothed, ovate, pointed at tip, rounded or heart-shaped at base; on young trees often mitten-shaped or deeply and variously lobed, rough above. Flowers: monoecious or dioecious, in drooping catkins, the female shorter. Fruit: red to black, resembles blackberry, ripens through May, very attractive to many birds, especially the migrating thrushes. Bark: thin, dark grayish brown, breaking into long scales. Twigs: slender, somewhat zigzag, with milky juice. Wood: light, soft, weak, used for fence posts, cooperage and boat building.
BIRTHWORT FAMILY
228. WOOLY PIPEVINE (Aristolochia tomentosa Sims.) or Dutchman’s pipe. Habitat: low, rich woods, not abundant. Leaves: large, round-heart shaped, downy, soft, margins entire. Stems: slender, very high climbing. Flowers: tube u-curved like a Dutchman’s pipe, with lobes turned back; small yellowish, inconspicuous flowers not to be confused with the leather flower (Viorna) which is also sometimes called pipevine; Viorna has four thick, leathery, purplish petals shaped like the bowl of a pipe. Fruit: many flat, black, shiny, pie-shaped seeds packed in a six-angled, cylindrical seed case about 1 to 2 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 inches long. A closely related cultivated vine is often planted where a dense screen is desired. [B] (Vol. I, p. 646).
228 wooly pipevine
MOONSEED FAMILY
229. CAROLINA MOONSEED (Cocculus carolinus (L) DC.) also called wild sarsaparilla or coral vine. Habitat: hedgerows and thickets, edges of woods, a common vine. Leaves: variable, oval to slightly heart-shaped, usually blunt or rounded at the tip, usually about 2 or 3 inches long. Stems: slender, green and somewhat fuzzy when young. Flowers: dioecious, small, greenish, 6-parted. Fruits: size of small peas, soft, scarlet, one-seeded, in small, dense clusters; very decorative in winter and excellent bird attraction.
229 Carolina moonseed
230. CANADA MOONSEED (Menispermum canadense L.) very rare vine of low woods. Stems: 6 to 12 feet long. Leaves: 3 to 7-angled or shallowly lobed, broader than long, 4 inches or much more. Flowers: small, white, 6-8 petals, 12-24 stamens. Fruit: black with a bloom, resembling small grapes; seed spirally curved. [B] (Vol. II, p. 131).
230 Canada moonseed
PLANE TREE FAMILY
231. SYCAMORE or buttonwood (Platanus occidentalis L.) a common tree, along stream banks and in low woods, often the largest tree in its locality as it grows rapidly. Bark: thin, smooth, greenish gray, flaking off in large patches and exposing the under bark which is whitish like that on limbs, especially conspicuous in winter woods. Leaves: 4 to 7 inches long and about as broad, very coarsely toothed, often shallowly 3 or 5-lobed, light green above, paler below. Twigs: slender, rather shiny and zigzag; bud with a single, cap-like scale, enclosed by the base of the leaf-stalk. Fruit: a compact ball about 1 inch across, remaining on its drooping stem all winter, composed of many seeds which separate and are blown away in spring. Often planted as street tree because of rapid growth and resistance to drouth, but the large leaves and flaking bark cause unsightly litter. Wood: coarse-grained, hard, not strong, heavy, hard to split; used for butchers’ blocks, furniture, interior trim, and tobacco boxes.
ROSE FAMILY
232. RED HAW or hawthorn (Crataegus species) probably about four species in the county. Three are easily distinguished by the shapes of the leaves and the size of the fruits:
(a) Leaves: very wooly when young, broad near base and nearly as broad as long, doubly toothed and often shallowly lobed; especially susceptible to the cedar rust. Fruit: red, resembling large rose hips, edible, mealy, about ¾ inch across, ripening in September and falling early. Grows in the vicinity of White Rock Creek and Lake. Leaves and flowers in early April.
(b) Leaves: usually obovate, tapering at base and somewhat blunt at tip, darker and smoother than (a). Fruit: about ½ inch or less across, ripening October or November, clinging late into winter. Flowers and leaves both smaller and appearing later than (a). Same region.
(c) Leaves: deeply and sharply cut. Fruit: ¼ inch or less across, many in a drooping cluster. River bottoms in southeastern part of county.
A fourth species is distinctive for its loose, flaky bark.
Wood: tough and hard but all trees in this region too small to be of commercial importance.
233. PRAIRIE ROSE (Rosa setigera Michx.) rare, climbing or trailing, vine-like shrub of low sandy land. Leaves: compound leaflets; mostly three, or five. Stems: green, with stout, scattered prickles, sometimes 20 feet long, usually much less. Flowers: bright pink, styles united into a column. Fruit: rounded, red in autumn, nearly ½ inch in diameter. [B] (Vol. II, p. 283.)
234. PASTURE ROSE (Rosa foliolosa Nutt.) a common, very low shrub. Habitat: meadows, roadsides, open woods, White Rock Lake, etc. Flowers: white or pale pink, solitary, sweet-scented. Stem: 6 to 12 inches tall, reddish, slender, with few prickles. Fruits: red, haw-like, in fall and winter. Leaves: pinnately compound, small leaflets 7 to 11, red in autumn or green and tardily deciduous. [D] (p. 106.)
235. DEWBERRY (Rubus trivialis) abundant trailing “shrub” of woods, roadsides, thickets and ditches. Leaves: compound, 3 to 5 leaflets, rose-like, evergreen or nearly so. Stems: green, prickly, usually lying on the ground, several feet long. Flowers: white, 5 petals, like small single roses. Fruit: black, many-seeded, juicy, ripe April-May, popular with birds, boys and redbugs.
236. WILD BLACK CHERRY (Prunus serotina Ehr.) a rare, small tree observed in low, sandy woods. Leaves: oval or longer, pointed at tip, finely serrate, dark red glands at base; glossy above, paler below. 2-6 inches long. Flowers: in grape-like clusters, drooping, white, in late March. Fruit: resembling small grapes, bitter but edible. Bark: of branches and young trunks glossy, reddish brown, marked with white, horizontal lines, finally becomes rough and broken into irregular plates. Wood: is second in value only to black walnut, reddish brown, fine grained, used for furniture, and interiors. Fruit: used to flavor rum, the bark in medicines.
237. WILD PLUM (Prunus mexicana S. Watson) common tree in woodlands, especially in low, rich ground. Leaves: oval, finely toothed, 2 to 3 inches long, downy or smooth but not shiny. Flowers: white, sweet-scented, in February and March. Fruit: oval, about 1 inch diameter, red, with a bloom; makes a delicious, tart jelly; different trees ripen from August into October. Winter TWIGS: smooth, dark purplish, the smaller ones often thorny-tipped. Bark: smooth on branches but peeling, finally rough and dark gray. [J] (p. 565.)
238. DWARF PLUM (Prunus angustifolia var. varians Wight & Hedr.) a shrub, often flowering when 1 or 2 feet high, rarely a very small tree, common on dry hillsides, meadows and fence rows, often forming thickets. Leaves: slightly narrower than those of the tree plum, smooth or shiny above, often tending to fold together lengthwise. Flowers: small, white, in March. Fruit: about ½ inch in diameter, bright red, ripe in midsummer. Twigs: very glossy and dark reddish purple, with sharp thorns. [J] (p. 570.)
239. PEACH (Prunus persica (L.) Sieb & Zucc.) an uncommon escape from cultivation, growing readily from seeds along roadsides, etc. These trees usually bear small, hard, flavorless fruit but may be used as parent stock on which to graft desirable cultivated varieties. Flowers: showy, pink.
PEA FAMILY
240. MESQUITE (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) an abundant small tree with a short trunk and open, spreading crown. Habitat: hilly pastures west of the Trinity River. Flowers: tiny, yellow, in catkins, blooming about May first and often again after summer rains. Pods: 4 to 9 inches long, somewhat constricted between the seeds, containing a sweet pulp as well as 10 to 20 seeds; valuable as food for livestock. Leaves: Twice-pinnately compound, alternate, 8 to 10 inches long, composed of one or two pairs of primary divisions each bearing 12 to 20 leaflets usually much less than two inches long. Twigs: have spines, usually in pairs at the leaf-axils. Wood: heavy, hard, closegrained, durable in soil, used for fence posts, underpinnings of buildings and fuel. The roots are large and heavy, giving rise to the saying that West Texans dig for their wood.
241. REDBUD (Cercis canadensis L.) a medium or small tree common in woodlands. Leaves: heart-shaped or truncate at base and blunt or slender-pointed at tip, 3 to 5 inches long and wide, smooth above, margin entire. Twigs: smooth, dark reddish brown, slender. Bark: of larger trunks finally divided into long, narrow plates, the surface separating into thin scales. Flowers: pea-shaped, pink with a red calyx, ½ inch long, in clusters close to the branches and sometimes even down on the trunk. Fruit: reddish brown pods 2 to 4 inches long, about ½ inch wide, flattened, often persistent into winter. Wood: dark brown, hard but weak, not valued commercially. The tree is common in cultivation because of its attractive early-blooming flowers; it is easily grown from seed.
242. REDBUD (Cercis reniformis Engl.) a small tree or tall shrub of limestone ridges southwest of Dallas. Leaves: kidney-shaped, not pointed, generally more glossy above than C. canadensis, “Mountain Redbud.”
243. HONEY LOCUST (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) a very thorny tree common in a variety of soils. Leaves: some once-pinnately compound and some twice, both kinds on the same tree, leaflets numerous, 1 to 1½ inches long and ½ wide, nearly entire, turning yellow in autumn. Twigs: slender, shining, usually reddish brown, distinctive for the large, pronged thorns which they bear in the second year and retain for many years. Bark: of trunk becoming rough, its broad ridges with thick, recurved edges, highly variable as to the number of thorns retained. Flowers: tiny, yellow, in catkins, very sweet-scented. Fruit: flat, reddish brown pods, 10 to 18 inches long, usually twisted, containing a sweetish pulp between the hard seeds; they are widely scattered by many animals which relish the pulp but fail to digest the seeds. Wood: hard, strong, coarse-grained, durable in the soil, bright red-brown, used for fence posts, wheel hubs and in construction. This tree is very resistant to drouth but gives scanty shade and causes much litter.
244. EVE’S NECKLACE (Sophora affinis Torr. & Gray) a small, slender tree becoming almost vine-like when crowded by other trees, common on stream borders, limestone hills, or prairie ravines. Leaves: pinnately compound of 13 to 19 pointed or blunt leaflets about 1½ in. long and 1 wide with entire or slightly wavy margins. Twigs: dull or glossy green becoming mottled with gray, sometimes zigzag. Bark: thin, gray, finally breaking into many, loose, oblong scales. Flowers: ½ in. long, white to lavender rose, in drooping clusters, pea-shaped. Fruit: dull black pods 1 to 4 inches long, tightly constricted between the seeds, often clinging to the tree with the flowers of the following spring. Wood: light red with 10 or 12 layers of bright yellow sapwood, heavy, hard and strong but too small to be of commercial importance. This little tree is native only to eastern and central Texas and the borders of adjacent states. [K] (p. 147.)
244 Eve’s necklace
245. RIVER LOCUST (Amorpha fruticosa L.) or false indigo: a tall shrub fairly common in low, moist ground, more common in sun than shade. Leaves: pinnately compound, of 9 to 25 leaflets, oblong or elliptical, ½ to 1½ in. long, gland-dotted. Flowers: in dense, erect clusters, each floret consisting of one dark purple petal wrapped around the ten gold-tipped stamens and the style. Fruit: pods about ¼ in. long heavily dotted with amber-colored glands. [K] (p. 160.)
245 river locust
RUE FAMILY
(Citrus Fruits In This Family)
246. PRICKLY ASH (Xanthoxylum clava-herculis L.) also called tear-blanket or toothache tree: a rather small tree common in rich lowlands, “of its largest size on the rich intervale lands of the streams flowing into the Trinity River”. Leaves: pinnately compound of 3 to 9 pairs of leaflets, usually ovate with acute or acuminate tips, 1 to 2½ in. long, shiny above, dull beneath, margins crenate-serrate, aromatic and tingling-spicy as are the fruit and bark. Twigs: have scattered, hooked spines, often black on young shoots. Bark: smooth, bluish gray, conspicuous for its corky, cone-shaped knobs which are sometimes still tipped with sharp spines; bark of root is especially stimulating and tonic, used by negroes for toothache and rheumatism. Flowers: small, white or greenish, in small cymes, opening after the leaves. Fruit: ¼ inch long, and nearly round, pitted capsules split in early autumn to reveal the shiny black seeds; relished by many birds. Wood: light weight, close-grained, light brown with yellow sapwood, not valued as much as the bark.
246 prickly ash
247. WAFER ASH (Ptelea trifoliata L.) or hop tree: a rare, small tree or shrub of low woodlands. Leaves: pinnately compound, usually composed of three, rarely five leaflets, 2 to 5 inches long, 1 to 3 wide, the terminal generally larger and more tapering toward the base than the others, margins entire or finely serrate, dark and shiny above, gland-dotted beneath. Twigs: dark, glossy, resembling cherry; winter buds rounded, whitish. Bark: of branches resembles cherry, dark and shining but cracks and curls, becoming rough; bitter, tonic. Flowers: greenish white, compound terminal cymes; in midsummer; disagreeable odor. Fruit: winged seed disks similar to those of elm but larger, nearly 1 inch; the drooping clusters conspicuous on winter branches; occasionally used in place of hops in beer brewing. Wood: heavy, hard and close-grained.
247 wafer ash
MAHOGANY FAMILY
248. CHINABERRY (Melia azederach L.) a familiar cultivated tree occasionally escaped from cultivation; a native of China much planted for shade in the southern states; sometimes found in remote woods where birds must have dropped the seeds. Leaves: alternate, twice-pinnately compound, dark green above, margins of leaflets often shallowly lobed or wavy. Twigs: thick, upright, dark. Bark: dark, somewhat smooth on branches. Flowers: lavender, in large, loose clusters on wood of the previous year, scented, in April or May. Fruit: Opaque, yellow, size of marbles, remaining into winter. Wood: light and brittle, color resembles mahogany but the grain is much coarser and does not polish well. [I] (p. 353.)
248 chinaberry
QUASSIA FAMILY
248A. TREE OF HEAVEN, Chinese sumac, (Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.) Several sprouts of this tree were observed in Kessler Park woodlands after this booklet had been set in type. The 1 to 3 foot, pinnately compound LEAVES and very stout TWIGS are ready marks of identification. Flowers: greenish, in large panicles, the staminate ill-scented. Fruit: winged seeds rusty colored. Wood: soft and weak. An escape from cultivation, undesirable because of its numerous root-suckers.
CASHEW FAMILY
249. SMOOTH SUMAC (Rhus glabra L.) abundant tall shrub, in woods or fields, prefers lowlands but also common in shallow depressions of uplands. Leaves: pinnately compound, 6 to 12 inches long, leaflets toothed, dark and smooth above; turning bright scarlet in early autumn. Twigs: smooth, reddish brown or with a whitish bloom; stout; buds entirely encircled by leaf stem or scar, juice milky. Flowers: dioecious, staminate in large, loose clusters of small, creamy flowers; pistillate clusters more compact and soon showing tinge of red. Fruit: dark red, fuzzy, acid skins cover each dry seed, retain color nearly all winter; may be used to make a substitute for lemonade. Wood: too scanty to be of value, center pithy.
249 smooth sumac
250. WINGED OR DWARF SUMAC (Rhus copallina L.) a tall shrub or rarely a small tree, abundant on limestone hills and bluffs. Leaves: pinnately compound, 6 to 8 inches long, leaflets not or remotely serrate on margins, leafy wings along stem between leaflets. Twigs: slightly pubescent (fuzzy), buds not entirely encircled by leaf scar, juice watery. Flowers: similar to R. glabra but later, in August. Fruit: clusters do not retain their bright color as late. Wood: light and soft, greenish brown.
250 winged sumac
251. POISON IVY, POISON OAK (Rhus toxicodendron L.) an abundant, woody, high-climbing vine, often appearing shrubby when young, or in the absence of a support; preferring woodlands, but also in open places. Leaves: compound, of three leaflets 2 to 5 inches long, coarsely toothed or lobed or more rarely entire. Bark: noticeable for numerous aerial rootlets on large specimens. Branches: extending at right angles from main stem. Flowers: inconspicuous, whitish. Fruit: white, in small, loose clusters. All parts of the plant very poisonous to the touch: the apparent immunity of some persons may be lost at any time and those who have suffered previous attacks seem more subject to the poison thereafter.
251 poison ivy
252. AROMATIC OR ILL-SCENTED SUMAC (Rhus trilobata and var. aromatica) or skunk bush: a spreading, low to medium shrub common in dry upland woods. Leaves: compound, of three leaflets, teeth or lobes usually rounded, ½ to 1½ inches long; both plants and opinions vary as to whether leaves are aromatic or ill-scented when crushed. Twigs: are noticeable in winter for their cone-shaped buds. Flowers: in March, small, yellow. Fruit: small clusters of red stone fruits covered with white hairs, ripe in midsummer, decorative. [K] (p. 204-5.)
252 aromatic sumac
HOLLY FAMILY
253. SWAMP HOLLY (Ilex decidua Walt.) or possum haw, a common small tree or shrub thriving best in lowlands, but also grows on dry limestone bluffs. Leaves: 1 to 2 inches long, usually blunt at the tip, margins with small, rounded teeth. Twigs: light gray, the short stems often densely covered with fruit scars, resembling tiny cones; alternate on the branches. Bark: pale gray often mottled, smooth. Flowers: dioecious, white, very inconspicuous. Fruit: round, scarlet or orange, close to the branches, singly or few together, on wood of the previous year, often remain through winter. Wood: heavy, close-grained, creamy-white. This tree suffers from vandals, especially near Christmas, although not evergreen like its spiny-leaved relative, Ilex opaca which is grown commercially and is also a native of East Texas. Youpon (Ilex vomitoria) is another native of East Texas which resembles our swamp holly even more closely except that its leaves are evergreen, and its fruit more pulpy.
253 swamp holly
STAFF-TREE FAMILY
254. WAAHOO or burning bush (Evonymus atropurpureus Jacq.) a medium to tall shrub or small tree of low woodlands, not very common. Leaves: opposite, simple, 2 to 5 inches long, tapering at both ends, finely serrate, light green and often turning pinkish in autumn. Twigs: green with gray stripes, often more or less 4-angled. Bark: smoothish, mottled gray. Flowers: small, very dark red, 4-lobed, in May. Fruit: crimson, not more than one in each lobe of 4-lobed rosy pod hanging from red, threadlike stem, in winter. Wood: heavy, hard and close-grained. The climbing bittersweet, native of Oklahoma and East Texas, is a member of this family.
254 waahoo
MAPLE FAMILY
255. BOX ELDER (Acer negundo L.) a medium-sized tree fairly common in low woods and along stream banks. This is the only member of the family native to Dallas County. Leaves: pinnately compound, opposite, usually 5 leaflets, sometimes 3 or 7, 2½ to 5 in. long, light green, coarsely toothed. Twigs: usually green, smooth. Bark: gray, with regular, shallow furrows. Flowers: dioecious, very small, staminate forming green, silky tassels. Fruit: seeds with elongated wings, in pairs forming v’s, ripen and fall in autumn although their stems cling until spring. Wood: light, soft, close-grained; used for woodenware, interior finish and paper pulp. Sugar can be made from the sap. This tree grows rapidly in a moist situation but is short-lived.
255 box elder
SOAPBERRY FAMILY
256. SPANISH or TEXAS BUCKEYE (Ungnadia speciosa Endl.) a tall shrub or small tree, not very common, in upland woods; native only to Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico; Dallas County about its northeastern limit. Leaves: pinnately compound, ash-like but alternate, leaflets 1 to 3 inches long, wrinkled undersurface. Twigs: light brown. Bark: light gray, thin, with numerous shallow fissures. Flowers: color of redbud, slightly larger and averaging two weeks later, 4 or 5 slender petals and red stamens often curving in opposite directions. Fruit: 3 or rarely 4 round, black, shiny seeds, smaller than true buckeyes but having the pale “eye-spot”; leathery brown pods usually crack open and drop the seeds in October or November, themselves remaining through the winter. The seeds are powerful emetics and reputed to be poisonous. Wood: heavy, close-grained, soft but brittle, reddish brown. [K] (p. 215.)
256 Texas buckeye
257. SOAPBERRY or wild chinaberry (Sapindus drummondii H. & A.) a medium-sized tree, fairly common in lowlands, a tree of the southwest-central states. Leaves: pinnately compound of 4 to 9 pairs of sickle-shaped leaflets about 2½ inches long with entire margins; lack the odd terminal leaflet of walnuts and pecans. Twigs: slender, the outer branches often drooping. Bark: light gray, rough and loosely scaly. Flowers: small, creamy white, showy because of large size of the terminal clusters, in May or June. Fruit: golden, or amber, translucent, size of marbles, drooping from tips of branches, remain until spring when they sometimes turn black. Wood: heavy, strong and splits easily between annual rings, hence used for basket splints.
257 soapberry
258. FETID or OHIO BUCKEYE (Aesculus glabra Willd.) medium shrub or rarely small tree in this region, low or upland woods but nowhere common. Leaves: opposite, palmately compound, of 7 to 9 slender, toothed leaflets, 2½ to 4½ inches long, 1 to 2 wide, conspicuous in early spring as they are among the first to open. Twigs: stout, with large opposite buds, the terminal one containing leaves as well as flower clusters; branches usually divide into twos. Flowers: in April, pale yellow clusters, stamens slightly longer than the petals. Fruit: brown, glossy seeds, flattened on one side, with a large, pale “eye-spot”; two or three in a leathery, rounded husk, 1 to 2 inches across, covered with short, scattered prickles. The seed was once believed to be a cure for rheumatism when carried in the pocket. Wood: light, close-grained, tough; used for artificial limbs, splints, woodenware and paper pulp; ill-scented.
258 Ohio buckeye
BUCKTHORN FAMILY
259. INDIAN CHERRY (Rhamnus caroliniana Walt.) or yellow buckthorn, a shrub or small tree, fairly common in rich, low woods and limestone slopes. Leaves: glossy, dark green, 2 to 5 in. long and 1 to 2 in. wide, rounded at base and acute or acuminate at tip, margins obscurely serrate, veins yellow, evenly spaced and prominent on the under side; turning dark purple or yellow in autumn, tardily deciduous on young trees. Twigs: with naked winter buds small and pointed. Flowers: in May, inconspicuous, usually dioecious. Fruit: size of small peas, containing 2 to 4 seeds; scattered, on short stems; red in summer, turning black in autumn. Wood: hard, light brown, close-grained and brittle.
259 Indian cherry
260. NEW JERSEY TEA (Ceanothus ovatus Desf.) or RED-ROOT; a shrub 1 to 3 feet high, common on dry uplands of woods, meadows and roadsides. Leaves: veins depressed above and prominent beneath as in the other two local members of this family, lowest pair longest, not dark and glossy above, 1 or 2 in. long, less than half as wide. Twigs: slender, retaining stems and whitish fruit “cups” in winter. Flowers: tiny, white, fragrant, in small, dense, rather cone-shaped clusters; the 5 petals and 5 sepals all white and incurved, petals forming a hood from which anthers project; in April. Fruit: small, three-lobed, white, ripening in summer. [K] (p. 216.)
260 New Jersey tea; fruit
261. RATTAN VINE or SUPPLE-JACK (Berchemia scandens Trel.) a fairly common, high-climbing, woody vine of low woods. Leaves: similar to Indian cherry except much smaller, 1 to 2 in. long. Stems: smooth, greenish, pliable, tough, very slender when young, becoming several inches thick in old age. Flowers: small, greenish-white, in small panicles. Fruit: oval, blackish, about ¼ in. long, containing one seed. [B] (Vol. II, p. 502).